So Called "China Bomb " Tires

[TeJay]

The term "China Bomb" came about for two specific reasons. This is of course IMHO!!

First reason!! Most all and I mean all Travel Trailers are built on the "Edge of Destruction." That means the axle ratings and tire ability to carry the load are very, very marginal to say the least.

Second reason!! Owners overloaded the TT because they didn't believe they would carry so little cargo. Or they just assumed that there was a decent margin of error built into the frame, axles, brakes and leaf springs.

Believing that we can load as much in our vehicles as we possibly can is built into our heads. In America we are used to buying a vehicle and really never questioning if it is overloaded or not. We do that with the pickup especially because it is designed to carry cargo.

The TT industry has few if any watch dogs overlooking how they build their units. The absence of shock absorbers, few have disc brakes or even self adjusting drum brakes as well as plastic leaf spring shackle bushings which are lucky to last 2,000 to 3,000 miles. Ask me how I know that one???

The TT industry is banking on most folks buying a TT which they may use 3-5 times a summer for a few years then it ends up next to the garage or behind the barn. I realize that's just a percentage of TT's. Exactly how big a percentage is any bodies guess.

Then comes along those that want to full time and things just won't hold up. The 5ver is one that is being built with some better quality for just that reason. They are being used more and more. However the same shoddy industry now has to learn about QC and try to make a better unit. It's a steep learning curve and some still don't believe they have to. We had three of them.

The MH has it's share of issues believe me. The MH is a truck chassis. It is a solid foundation built like a truck and bound by government regulations just like the automobile. That is the primary reason why we went back to the MH.

[Desert Flyer]

Interesting argument for MH vs FW/ TT.

[keymastr]

I would much prefer the safety of my tow vehicle to any motorhome in any accident scenario you can think of. Just because the government made them put seat belts in the sofa does not make them safe in my opinion. Doesn't take much to rip the sides right open and how many accidents have we seen just because a steer tire blew out?

There are pluses and minuses to each but I don't think a motorhome is any safer because of the government. Plenty of coaches with precious little payload which the unsuspecting new owners promptly overload. It is an inherent problem that can only be addressed by educating yourself on the load requirements of your particular vehicle whether self propelled or pulled by a tow vehicle. It is up to you to understand the proper loading and put the appropriate equipment in place.

[Hgrace56]

Weren't Michelin French tires made in Viet Nam.
Pirelli?